You’re Always Auditioning

It’s never worth your second-best.

That corner you’re tempted to cut isn’t going to help you.

Others take notice when you’re unwilling to help.  Or when you treat others poorly.  And you don’t notice either.

That extra preparation and practice you’re too “tired” to do will be worth every effort you put in to get it just right.

Raising the level of your personal excellence is a personal discipline worth pursuing.

People are watching you even when you don’t think they are.

The truth is that you are always auditioning for future opportunities.

Even if you never change jobs or  move anywhere, people assess your potential for future responsibilities and opportunities.  You’re building your reputation.  Do you show that you can work well with others? Can you communicate effectively?  Do you show the intellectual and emotional growth necessary to show you’re growing as a thinking leader or are you stuck? When you’re given an upfront chance, do you bring a freshness to the event or could anyone do it the way you did it?

My college only hires students to be Resident Hall Assistants at the recommendation the resident hall staff who have watched them live and interact with other students.  People who visit college classes often come with a “job in their pocket” (they’re looking to hire in the next year) and they interact with  students to see if any of them fit.  I’ve seen few college students who understand that and give those interactions their best effort.

Every moment you’re given is worth your best.  You never know what might come of it. As the prophet Zechariah wrote (4:7-10), do not despise small beginnings, because from them God can do great things.  And sometimes what we consider “small beginnings” is actually the rich humus in which strong character grows.

 

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